Season Preview: 5A JeffCo League
We continue our season preview series with an in-depth look at the 5A JeffCo League. Today: Predicted order of finish. Tomorrow: Preseason all-league teams. 1. Lakewood (Last season: 15-10, 8-6 in JeffCo, fourth place) The Tigers pack more returning experience in…
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Continue ReadingWe continue our season preview series with an in-depth look at the 5A JeffCo League. Today: Predicted order of finish. Tomorrow: Preseason all-league teams.
1. Lakewood (Last season: 15-10, 8-6 in JeffCo, fourth place)
The Tigers pack more returning experience in their starting five than any team in the league. And it’s a talented group, too, led by 2017 sharpshooting guard Kolton Peterson. The 6-2 guard averaged 19.7 points and 4.4 rebounds per game last season. Inside, 6-7 forward Jacob Storey took a huge leap as a junior, averaging 15.6 points per game. Lakewood also returns double-digit scorer Dallas Bailey in the backcourt, as well as returning supporting cast members in Brandt Christy, Jovan Dodig and Ezekiel Sundberg. The Tigers have made steady gains over the past two seasons. This could be the year they take the biggest step of all.
2. Chatfield (24-3, 14-0, first)
It was a storybook season in 2015-16 for Chatfield, which ran the table in the JeffCo and had a memorable victory over Cherry Creek in the 5A quarterfinals before finally falling to powerhouse Overland in the state semifinals. Losing the stellar dual point guards from that team in Riley Welch and Cameron Pearson will be no easy task. But the Chargers will still have a strong senior class, led by Mike Vrabel, Titus Reed, Lucas St. Germain and Joe Miks, who all made big contributions during last year’s run.
3. Dakota Ridge (17-8, 12-2, second)
The Eagles were loaded with seniors last year as they waged into the third round of the playoffs. So it will be a bit of re-loading at Dakota Ridge, but Curi Yutzy’s system of ball-sharing and committed defense is ingrained into all levels of the program, so expect a new cast to step forward. Junior Antonio Norton could be a player to watch.
4. Arvada West (17-9, 9-5, third)
Any team at loses a 7-footer (Dallas Walton) and a Division I point guard (Luke Neff) and a college-bound Swiss Army Knife (Will Wittman) like the Wildcats have is going to be looking at an adjustment period. A-West will likely have to go back to the drawing board as the group readjusts to new leaders, but coach Jeff Parriott has a proven track record of success at the school, and Joshawa Martin and Lukas Maly contributed last year and are experienced as seniors.
5. Columbine (7-16, 4-10, tied for sixth)
The Rebels began to play much more competitive basketball at the end of the season last year, and they return most of their top players from a season ago. That group is led by 6-2 guard Zach Winters (10.9 points per game last season) and Dom Giauque (7.3), both seniors.
6. Ralston Valley (9-15, 5-9, fifth)
It won’t be easy for the Mustangs to replace Antonio Capley, the 6-11 center who averaged 13.6 points and 11 rebounds last year and is now at Black Hills State. But Capley’s departure could open up a leadership spot for Jerrod Parker, a 6-2 wing who was third on the team in scoring last year at 7.0 points per game.
7. Bear Creek (8-16, 4-10, tied for sixth)
The Bears have a nice senior trio in Andre Stasny (7.0 points per game last season), Jacob Pigatti (6.1) and Walker Rumsey (6.0), all of whom now have playoff experience.
8. Pomona (5-18, 0-14, eighth)
The football powerhouse and a hard time on the basketball court last year, finishing winless in league play. But having junior Ryan Marquez, a talented three-sport star, leading the way will be a nice start for a Panthers team that has some promising young talent.